We spend 5 nights in the pretty town of Steyr where the rivers Enns and Steyr flow together. This is a good starting point for trips to Linz or south towards the mountains in the Kalkalpen or the Gesäuse.
Linz is well worth seeing, is not a must but worthwhile if you are in the area. An hour-long city tour with the tourist train gives a good overview. Especially worth mentioning is the Mariendom, which holds 20,000 people (standing) and is therefore larger in area than St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. Just around the corner from the cathedral, the confectioner Jindrak offers the original Linzertorte, supposedly the oldest cake in the world (recipes were mentioned in a 350-year-old cookbook). Otherwise, Linz is a very relaxed city with pretty courtyards to linger over beer or wine.
Excursion south into the Kalkalpen with a tour of the Steyrschlucht gorge to the trickling wall and then to the Hinterstoder ski area, up with the Hössbahn cable car to 1900 meters with an impressive mountain panorama framing the reservoir.
The next stop is Spitz in the Wachau region where we stay at the FJ Gritsch winery. Their green Veltliner is a stunner.
We spend the days cycling along the Danube through pretty wine villages and vineyards. Tip: Bike tour from Melk to Krems: from Melk to Spitz the right bank is nicer, there cross the Danube with the roll-on ferry and from Spitz to Krems bike on the left side through the picturesque wine villages.
Recommended hike on a section of the World Heritage Trail from Mühldorf to Spitz through the vineyards with beautifully situated picnic areas. Of course, a stop at a Buschenschank (wine tavern of the winegrowers) should not be missed!
Our last stop on this leg is Vienna. We stay in the Grätzlhotel at the Karmelitermarkt. These are street lofts in converted rooms where craftsmen used to ply their trade. The market across the street has everything you need for breakfast.
We visit the usual sights in this unique city with the opulent buildings on which I will not go into further detail here. Let the pictures do the talking. We also took the opportunity to soak up some culture, with a visit to the Leopold Museum and a classical concert in St. Peter's Church.
Some impressions from the Leopold Museum:
In beautiful weather we enjoy an e-boat ride with aperitif on the old Danube followed by a dinner on the water, organized by our airline friends of AUA. Many thanks!
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